Where We Stand
Straight punch! One!
One!
Put some spirit into it! Two!
Two!
What's going on here?
There were a lot of people chasing us, but we somehow managed to subdue all of them...
And for some reason, they were now training as they threw punches to Fei's calls.
Don't overthink it, Captain. It's easier to just go with the flow.
It used to be like this sometimes in the past.
Even people who hated Senior Sister Fei ended up befriending her after sparring with her.
Coo!
What is it, Toto? You want to train too?
I hate anything bothersome, but... Hmm...
It's been a while, so maybe I'll join in. Ehehe...
Serpang? Toto?
*Gasp?!*
Squawk?!
Senior Sister Lyn?! Since when...?! No, I mean...!
It's Toto! Toto said he wanted to train!
Coo?! Coooo?!
...Fufu.
Go ahead.
Huh...? Really? Is that okay?
You said you wanted to train. There's no reason to stop you.
Don't mind me.
Ehehe...! Let's go, Toto!
Coo!
...Are you okay?
Once this situation is resolved, I'll have to cross swords with Fei again...
But I don't want Serpang and Toto worrying about that too.
More importantly... were you worried about me? I'm touched.
You're such a good boy. Fufu.
For some reason, Lyn patted my head again.
...I see.
So you really did come to capture Fei.
Tien... Xien...
There's no need to tense up. We have no intention of fighting you.
At least not right now.
Again! One!
One!
...We'll wait until the training is finished.
I've got no energy left... I can't move...
Coo...
Stop being dramatic. It wasn't even that tiring.
More importantly...
Have you been waiting long?
...Hmph.
Huh?! Why are they here?!
Senior Sister Lyn? Captain?! What's going on?!
They said they had something they wanted to discuss, so I invited them in.
It would be best if we could settle this through conversation.
So, what did you come here to talk about?
Fei, we have a proposal for you.
A proposal...? I seem to be receiving a lot of those lately.
...
Well? What is it?
Give up martial arts. For the rest of your life.
Then you won't have to suffer the consequences.
I refuse.
The Celestial Art, martial arts, and the path of martial mastery are my life.
Your proposal is no different from telling me to give up living.
Then the negotiation is over. Very well.
...Disciples of the Wind Moon Sect. And Journey Captain.
W-what?! Are we fighting right here?!
Coo!
...!
...
As I prepared for an attack, Tien and Xien bowed their heads.
We're sorry.
Our apologies.
We learned through a contact on the Eastern Continent that the disciples of the Wind Moon Sect really were pursuing Fei.
And that the Journey Captain had nothing to do with this.
We dragged an innocent outsider into our grudge...
We sincerely apologize for that.
Tien and Xien bowed deeply once more.
Well... Better late than never, I guess...
C-coo...
...Your sincerity has come across. Please lift your heads.
Thank you for forgiving us. We will repay this debt somehow later.
...But we cannot forgive Fei.
Fei is our sworn enemy. We refuse to live under the same sky as her.
Hmm...
There is a wide clearing in the center of the eastern bamboo forest.
Meet us there tomorrow at this time. We'll settle this.
If we win, Fei, you must give up martial arts. If we lose...
Then we will do whatever you ask of us.
Let's go, Xien.
Understood, Tien.
Wait.
Huh?
May I ask what happened in the past?
Yes. I'd like to know as well.
What did I do in the past to earn such deep hatred?
...Hmph!
...Tien. Let's tell them.
Xien!
Not for Fei.
But for the Journey Captain who got caught up in this.
...Hmph.
Long ago, there was a martial sect. It no longer exists.
One day, a young girl knocked on its gate.
Don't tell me...
That's right, Fei. It was you.
Our sect master, our own father, accepted your challenge.
Without holding back just because you were young, he fought with everything he had.
But he was utterly defeated...
Shocked by the loss, our father entered seclusion training. Eventually...
N-no...!
Coo?!
It wore him down, so he quit martial arts and became a merchant.
He had a knack for business and quickly became wealthy.
Huh?! I thought this was going to be tragic!
Coo! Coo!
...No. That's not the important part.
The master they trusted abandoned the path of martial mastery.
The light that had guided their way disappeared, leaving them alone in the dark.
That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?
...Hmph.
My sister and I had trained in martial arts with our father since we were young.
But one day, after just one single day...
Only Xien and I were left in the training grounds.
If you've ever lost someone precious you believed would stay by your side...
Then you might understand how we feel.
...
Disciples of the Wind Moon Sect. And Captain.
Even if we must make enemies of all of you, we will take revenge on Fei.
We meet tomorrow at this same hour, in the clearing of the eastern bamboo forest. Don't forget, Fei.
Until then.
May you remain well until tomorrow.
Tien and Xien...
What do you think of their coordinated technique, Captain?
Tien of the Fan. Xien of the Iron Mace.
Close range and long range. A simple combination, in theory. But when those two combine their skills...
In another sense, they're more troublesome than a Voidborn.
That's true. We really struggled against them.
Coo.
But if they can't use their coordinated technique, things change.
I'll take one of them! You'd better not touch my opponent! That one's mine!
As for the other one...!
*Sigh...*
...Hmm?
You seem to be misunderstanding something.
The order we received from the Sect Master was to bring you back to the Eastern Continent.
Whether you lose to Tien and Xien, or give up martial arts...
Frankly, it has nothing to do with us.
Senior Sister Lyn, but... That's...
Coo...!
...Right. I know.
But Lyn! Fighting strong opponents! That's an experience you can't buy, even with a fortune!
Haha! As someone walking the path of martial mastery, it's an opportunity one can't miss...!
To begin with, Fei...
All of this happened because you're obsessed with the path of martial mastery.
...
Is the Celestial Art really that important? What's so great about being the strongest?
Because of the path of martial mastery, you betrayed the sect master who took you in.
You abandoned your fellow disciples and left. And now you shamelessly ask for help?
If your actions now are the result of following the path of martial mastery...
Then the path of martial mastery and the Celestial Art... are truly pathetic.
...!
Senior Sister Lyn...? That was a little harsh—
...You have a point.
Our temporary alliance was only until things settled down.
Now that only Tien and Xien remain, it's fair to say we are no longer allied.
Senior Sister Fei? Wait...!
In the end, we are enemies.
Isn't that what you're trying to say?
Yes. That's correct.
Wait...! Both of you, calm down!
Then there's no need to drag this out.
Yes, Fei. You're right.
I grant you the initiative.
Giving me the first move? That's rather generous.
A courtesy to the past.
Senior Sister Lyn... Senior Sister Fei...!
Coo...!
We're having stew for dinner.
...Captain!
Stew tastes even better if you let it sit overnight.
So how about extending the temporary alliance until tomorrow?
Y-yeah. He's right!
Let's keep the temporary alliance until tomorrow. Toto, Captain, and I vote yes!
C-coo...!
Three votes out of five! Ehehe...! Hehe...
...Mm.
...Very well.
After dinner ended in a heavier mood than ever...
Lyn and Fei disappeared somewhere. Serpang, Toto, and I walked around the area.
Thanks for helping us, Captain.
That was close. It scared me wide awake.
Coo.
...The weather's nice.
The wind is blowing from the Eastern Continent. I can smell bamboo.
Did I tell you before? I used to be really frail.
When I was lying in bed, Senior Sister Fei, Senior Sister Lyn, and Toto would come play with me.
...Those three are like another family to me.
I was really happy back then...
I really was... ehehe...
...
...*Sniffle*
Ngh... *Sniffle!* Why...?!
How did it end up like this...?!
Coo...
Someday, Senior Sister Lyn and Senior Sister Fei will definitely end up fighting...
When that happens... what should I do?!
Leave it to me.
*Sniffle...* Huh?
You hired me, remember?
I'll stop them.
Captain...
Ehehe... Right, I paid you in pumpkin taffy and made the request.
...Thank you, Captain.
...Coo!
After Serpang stopped crying and fell asleep back at camp with Toto...
I quietly slipped out and walked toward a hill where the moon hung bright above.